In our October 2024 issue, event planner Meredith Corning shared a soirée inspired by the works of poet and short story writer Edgar Allan Poe—perfect for an elevated All Hallow’s Eve affair with fellow bibliophiles. Here, she and Vibrant Occasions Catering share the recipes for their “Raven” Grilled Cheese sandwich and Charcoal Black Bread. Check out our October edition for the full story, including the recipe for “The Masque of the Red Death” Creamy Tomato Bisque.
The Raven Grilled Cheese Sandwich
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2 slices Charcoal Black Bread (see recipe below)
1 slice Muenster cheese
1 slice Swiss cheese
2 tablespoons basil pesto sauce
1 tablespoon grapeseed oil
1 tablespoon butter
Prepare
Heat a cast iron skillet over medium high heat. Add oil and butter and melt. Dip one side of each slice of bread slices into the oil/butter mixture. Spread the non-buttered side of the bread with the basil pesto sauce and top with cheese. Put the other slice of bread on top, buttered side up, and place in the heated skillet. Cook until cheese is melted and bread is crusty. For the full effect, use a raven-shaped cookie cutter to cut out the sandwich.
Charcoal Black Bread
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5 ½ to 6 cups all-purpose flour, separated
3 tablespoons sugar
4 ½ teaspoons active dry yeast
2 teaspoons salt
1 ½ cups water
½ cup milk
3 tablespoons butter
3 tablespoons activated charcoal
Prepare
Preheat oven to 400ºF. In a mixing bowl, combine 2 cups of flour with sugar, yeast, and salt, and set aside. Microwave water, milk, and butter until temperature reaches 120ºF. Add to the flour mixture and mix at medium speed for 3 minutes, scraping sides of the bowl as you go. Add 1 cup of flour and activated charcoal and mix for 2 more minutes. Mix in 2 ½ more cups of flour.
Knead dough for 6-8 minutes, using an additional ½ cup of flour, if necessary. Form into a ball, then place in an oiled bowl and cover with a towel for 10 minutes. Roll into a log and place in a greased, deep loaf pan. Cover and allow to double in size, roughly 45 minutes, then bake for 20 minutes.
Once the bread sounds hollow when thumped, run a knife along the sides to release it from the pan.
Read the full story from the October 2024 issue of At Home in Arkansas here.
